Two passionate paddling brothers have decided that it’s high time to bring all the Dusi adventures to life in their book, “Down the Dusi … then and now”. Liz Clarke caught up with them to find out more.
Think Dusi, think paddling, think two Kloof brothers who know every inch, crevice, bump and watery eddy along the way.
But instead of reminiscing about their experiences with family and friends, brothers Nigel and Dave Briggs have decided it’s time they recorded in print the story of the Dusi, how it has evolved, and the paddlers who have put their own personal stamp on the river.
“There have been so many changes over the years,” says Nigel, adding that Dusi water flows through his veins and he remembers the river before the Inanda Dam was built.
“Boat designs have altered quite dramatically, as has the river course itself. Weirs and slipways that used to be part of the course are no longer there, but other obstacles, just as challenging and hazardous, have taken their place.”
Nigel’s personal Dusi history goes back to the 70s, when he decided to test his stamina against some of the most rugged terrain imaginable.
“In those days, most people thought I needed to be put into a straitjacket. I even had to build my own boat, because there was nothing suitable for those sorts of conditions. It had to be light enough to carry across the ground on foot, but strong enough to withstand hair-raising patches of water, rocky outcrops and some terrifying rapids.”
He must have designed it just right, because in his first attempt he won the prize for the best novice.
David was only ten years old when Nigel introduced him to the world of paddling. “There was no stopping me,” recalls Dave. “When I was 16, I joined him and paddled competitively until an aircraft accident forced me to give up.”
When the brothers did paddle together, Dave admits they didn’t always see eye-to-eye about the river and how to tackle it. “But that’s all part of the experience. In the end you have to work as a team – otherwise you’d be sunk, literally!”
Between them, Nigel and Dave have competed in 55 Dusi races. Not content to stick to one river, the brothers have also pitted their skills against some of the world’s most challenging waterways, including the Congo, the Nile, the Zambezi and the Grand Canyon. They have a diverse number of disciplines under their belt, including slalom, white water, sprints and long distance.
Both have competed internationally in races ranging from the World Marathon champs to representing South Africa at the Masters Wild Water Championships.
All this and more are contained in their book – Down the Dusi…then and now – along with little known facts, myths and legends that have given the river its international rating as one of the big ones.
“The Dusi is a magical race – tough, unforgiving, sometimes treacherous, and it has a long and rich history. So it’s not surprising there are plenty of myths and rumours surrounding the event,” adds Nigel.
One story that has survived is that of two “gallant” adventurers, Sonny Mitchell and Ruben Wood, who undertook the journey in 1910, taking with them a number of carrier pigeons to relay their progress to the outside world. Somewhere during their adventure their boat capsized and a number of the birds were lost or escaped. When the birds arrived home with no notes attached, it was feared the paddlers had drowned. But to everyone’s surprise – and possibly their own – they arrived at the Umgeni River mouth 11 days after their voyage began.
Another story, according to a report in The Witness in 1893, is of two adventurous friends – W Foley and P Marianni – who went down the Dusi in separate boats. One nearly lost his life at what is still known as the Marianni/Foley causeway, and – even worse – their entire supply of rusks fell into the river!
The brothers say that their book is not about the winners and losers of the 60-year old event, but about the paddlers and their anecdotes and memories.
“We want people who take on this race in the future to know the history about each stretch of the river and to know that this or that happened right there!”
Also, they say, it’s about how the Dusi has evolved from an amateur challenge between man and nature to a multi-disciplined event that demands hi-tech kayaks and a level of fitness only a few can achieve.
If you want to share your Dusi memories,
email Dave Briggs or call him on 082 5501462